Posted January 2006 Blog links parents with kids away at camp Education Views, Edition 21, 2005
		Year 6 and 7 students from Clermont State SchoolWhen Clermont State School decided to take 49 Year 6 and 7 students 1000 kilometres away to a week-long camp in Brisbane, some of the students were a little apprehensive. "The kids were asking lots of questions," said Judy Lanham, Clermont teacher-librarian and Learning Place Mentor for the Emerald District. "The big one was, 'What if I get homesick?''' Class teachers Lisa Dawson and Kathy Stevenson found there were so many questions that Kathy created a blog: Pre-camp Jitters. Students were able to log in and ask their questions, teachers responded, and all students were able to read the answers. (A Weblog, or blog, is an online journal used to record individual or group experiences. Other participants can comment on postings, creating a networked community.) The students found the blog a very exciting use of technology – the teachers noted that they were even accessing it in their own time.

Kathy decided to create a second blog: On Camp, to keep parents informed about their children's camp activities. Judy set up the blog in a secure Learning Place project room.

The school ran a parent information session. Parents, many unfamiliar with the technology, were shown how easy it was to work, and set up with passwords.

Each night a group of students would add entries into the blogThe students left for Brisbane. Teachers set up a laptop at the campsite, and the first postings went through to Clermont. Each night, a group of students had time to log in, read entries from parents, and add entries and photos of their own.

Parents loved the blog. “They really appreciated having that link while their children were away,” Lisa said. “And students loved seeing messages from their parents, and letting their families know they were safe and having a good time.”

Parent comments included: "It was so great to see what was going on with the kids so far away". "This is the best thing since sliced bread. Great work!"

The school was amazed at the amount of interest generated in Clermont. "The buzz around town was tremendous," Kathy Stevenson said. "Many people not even associated with the camp commended us on the blog and its use. Blogs will always be a part of any future camp."

Judy said, "It was just magic to be here in Clermont and see so much positiveness about the school. This is the best online event I've ever been involved in!"